Transparent insulating enclosure

ABSTRACT

An enclosure formed from a first compartment and an identical second compartment to house an electrical connector. Each compartment has a main body that is defined by a first wall, a second wall and ends. The first wall of each compartment has an outer tab with at least one projection that extends inwards and an inner tab positioned adjacent to the outer tab. The second wall of each compartment has an aperture. When the compartments are mounted to each other to form the enclosure, the projection of the first wall of the first compartment is disposed in the aperture in the second wall of the second compartment and the projection of the first wall of the second compartment is disposed in the aperture in the second wall of the first compartment. The enclosure also includes a label and label cover that are disposed inside the enclosure to identify the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/430,321,filed May 9, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.11/238,504, filed Sep. 29, 2005, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,760,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/819,840, filed Apr.7, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,761, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,907, filed Apr. 10, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to insulating enclosures and, moreparticularly, to a transparent insulating enclosure and associated labelcover for electrical tap or splice connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior tap or splice covers which protect and insulate the tap or spliceare black or colored and, thus, opaque so the connection cannot be seenwhen closed. If a problem with a connection is suspected, the cover mustbe removed for inspection purposes. Damage to the connection is possibleduring the removal process. This type of inspection can be very timeconsuming particularly if there are a lot of connectors in a particularcircuit. Also, when the covers are removed, it can be dangerous toperform these inspections with the circuit in the energized state.

It is thus an advantage to allow for post installation inspection of thetap or splice. The cover of the present invention also provides forimproved labeling and identification protection for the tap or spliceconnection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a transparent enclosure for anelectrical connector. The enclosure includes a first compartment and anidentical second compartment. Each compartment has a main body definedby a first wall, a second wall, and ends. The first wall of eachcompartment has an outer tab with at least one projection extendinginwards and an inner tab positioned adjacent to the outer tab. Thesecond wall of each compartment has an aperture there through. When oneof the compartments is mounted to the other compartment, the projectionof each first wall is disposed in the aperture in each second wall so asto secure the compartments to each other to form the enclosure. Theelectrical connector is positioned between the first compartment and thesecond compartment so that when the compartments are secured to eachother, the electrical connector is secured between the compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the transparent insulating enclosure ofthe present invention with an electrical connector disposed therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the transparent insulating enclosure ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thetransparent insulating enclosure of FIG. 1 with a pair of ribs thatextend across the main body; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the transparent insulating enclosure of FIG. 3with an electrical connector disposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The design shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 discloses a transparent insulatingenclosure 10 for electrical connectors 90 in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

The enclosure 10 consists of two separate identical halves orcompartments 12 a and 12 b. Each half or compartment 12 a, 12 b has amain body 14 a, 14 b that is defined by a first wall 16 a, 16 b, asecond wall 18 a, 18 b and ends 20 a, 20 b. The first wall 16 a, 16 band the second wall 18 a, 18 b of each enclosure half 12 a, 12 b snaptogether by means of a new latching system to form the insulatingenclosure.

The first walls 16 a, 16 b of the latching system include a main outertab 22 a, 22 b with two projections 24 a, 24 b and two inner tabs 28 a,28 b that support and secure the second wall 18 a, 18 b of the otherenclosure half from the inside of the enclosure. The two inner tabs 28a, 28 b have side 30 a, 30 b and end 32 a, 32 b lead-in chamfers thatfacilitate the mutual locating of both enclosure halves for assembly.The outer main tab 22 a, 22 b also includes extended ends 26 a, 26 bthat serve as flashover barriers for the enclosure.

Upon pressing the enclosure halves 12 a, 12 b together, the second walls18 a, 18 b become trapped between the inner tabs 28 a, 28 b and theouter tabs 22 a, 22 b of the first walls 16 a, 16 b. The second wall 18a, 18 b of each enclosure half has an aperture 34 a, 34 b extending fromapproximately mid-height of the wall to the top 36 a, 36 b of the wall.As the enclosure halves are pressed together, the projections 24 a, 24 bon the inside of the main outer tabs 22 a, 22 b snap into the apertures34 a, 34 b in the second walls 18 a, 18 b of the opposite enclosure halfand lock the enclosure in a closed position.

If necessary, the enclosure may be opened by inserting a flat tipscrewdriver, or similar tool, between the projections 24 a, 24 b locatedon the inside of outer main tabs 22 a, 22 b to pry the enclosure halvesaway from each other.

Each enclosure half has inner flanges 40 a, 40 b that extend across theenclosure half. The inner flanges 40 a, 40 b serve as stops for theelectrical connector to prevent the connector from being pulled out ofthe insulating enclosure. The flanges 40 a, 40 b have C-shaped middleportions 42 a, 42 b that accommodate the electrical cables that arecrimped in the connector.

Ridges 44 a, 44 b are positioned on each main body 14 a, 14 b at theouter side of the flanges 40 a, 40 b so as to form a pocket 48 a, 48 bthere between. The pocket 48 a, 48 b accommodates a label or tag 50 andlabel cover 52. It is important to place the label inside the enclosureto prevent any tampering with the information on the label after theconnection has been completed and the enclosure has been snappedtogether on a connector. An additional benefit from the internalplacement of the label is that the label cover and the label can not beaccidentally knocked off or stripped off and lost.

The label cover 52 includes indentations 54 located on both sides of thelabel cover. The indentations 54 engage the walls of the enclosurethereby allowing the label cover 52 to be inserted with either sidefacing out.

Each side of the label cover 52 has a matted finish which allows thelabel cover 52 to be used as a backup for a separate label. If there isnot a label, the information may be written directly on the label covermatted surface.

To facilitate removal of the label 50, an opening 46 a, 46 b is providedbetween each ridge 44 a, 44 b for insertion of a pry tool.

The ends 20 a, 20 b of the insulating enclosure include multiple narrowfingers 60 a, 60 b that extend outward from each enclosure main body 14a, 14 b at a narrow angle with respect to the split plane of theenclosure. Such angle minimizes catch points, to allow other cable runsto be pulled next to the enclosure. The fingers 60 a, 60 b are parallelto one another with only a slight narrowing toward their tips 62 a, 62b. The underside of the tips of the fingers have a small flatten portion64 a, 64 b which prevents the tips from “pinching” or “digging” into theelectrical cable insulation. The outer edges 66 a, 66 b of the fingersare rounded to prevent injury to the installer's hands. The fingers aresufficiently flexible and resilient to conform closely to the cables andto prevent foreign objects, such as the installer's fingers or tools,from penetrating the enclosure and contacting the connector placedinside. The amount of flexing depends on the size of the cables used ina particular connection. Thus, the insulating enclosure is designed tobe used with a wide range of cable sizes.

The fingers that are pushed apart by the inserted cables flex away,while the remaining fingers, that are not in contact with the cables,stay close together and prevent an accidental insertion of a tool or theinstaller's finger into the connection that may be energized.

Being fairly strong and resilient, the fingers provide a good hold ofthe connected cables and prevent the insulating enclosure from producinga rattling sound, if subjected to slight movements.

The enclosure remains secured around an electrical connector by its ownfeatures and strength. However, if desired, cable ties or waxed cordsmay be used for added security.

Each half 12 a, 12 b of the insulating enclosure has external locatingslots 70 a, 70 b. When the enclosure halves 12 a, 12 b are secured toeach other, the locating slots are aligned so as to create continuousslots around the enclosure. The aligned locating slots are designed toreceive a cable tie 76 or waxed cord that wraps around the enclosure.The enclosure also includes recesses 72 a, 72 b located adjacent to theslots 70 a, 70 b to accommodate the cable tie heads 78 and lips 74 a, 74b located on the side of the slot 70 a, 70 b and the top of theenclosure halves. The lips 74 a, 74 b help to maintain the cable tie inthe locating slots around the enclosure.

The transparent enclosure allows the inspection of both the quality ofthe connector crimping and all markings on the connector without openingthe insulating enclosure.

Additionally, the insulating enclosure may have certain identificationinformation molded on the fingers so that it does not obstruct the viewof the connector inside the enclosure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 describe an alternative embodiment of the transparentinsulating enclosure for electrical connectors. In addition to thefeatures described above, the alternative embodiment incorporates a pairof retaining flanges 80 a, 80 b in each half of the enclosure. The pairof retaining flanges 80 a, 80 b are placed in the middle of theenclosure length. The retaining flanges 80 a, 80 b function as aretainer for connectors that do not project beyond the outer surface ofthe cable insulation. Without the retaining flanges 80 a, 80 b, a tapstyle connector would be retained only by friction between the enclosureand the cable insulation. This type of retention is not positive. Thecenter retaining flanges 80 a, 80 b penetrate into slots formed incertain styles of tap connectors to positively retain the connectorinside the enclosure.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth inthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way ofillustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of theinvention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewedin their proper perspective based on the prior art.

1. A transparent insulating enclosure for an electrical connector, thetransparent enclosure comprising: a first compartment having a pluralityof fingers; a second compartment identical to the first compartment, thesecond compartment having a plurality of fingers; wherein the firstcompartment and the second compartment are mounted to each other to formthe enclosure; the fingers are disposed at an angle for holding cablesconnected to the electrical connector in the enclosure; and at least oneof the first and second compartments further including a pocket forreceiving a label to identify the electrical connector.
 2. A transparentenclosure for an electrical connector, the enclosure comprising: a firstcompartment having a main body defined by a first wall, a second walland ends, the main body having at least one flange extending across themain body and at least one ridge positioned near the flange on the mainbody, wherein the flange and the ridge define a pocket for accommodatinga label; a second compartment adapted to be mounted to the firstcompartment, wherein the second compartment has a main body defined by afirst wall, a second wall and ends, the main body having at least oneflange extending across the main body and at least one ridge positionednear the flange on the main body, wherein the flange and the ridgedefine a pocket for accommodating a label; wherein when the secondcompartment is mounted to the first compartment, the flanges of saidfirst and second compartments are aligned to secure the electricalconnector therebetween.